Mr Swan was talking up his controversial banking reform package in Adelaide on Wednesday after Mr Symond had criticised it at a Senate hearing.

"There are a lot of vested interests out there," Mr Swan told radio station 5AA.

"But the fact is this is a package that is good for the country - it puts in essential reform to empower consumers.

"John Symond is substantially owned by the Commonwealth Bank, John Symond has a very close relationship with one of the big banks, so John Symond has a self interest, if you like, in criticising the package.

Mr Swan said that Mr Symond had asked for $30 billion worth of public support for smaller lenders.

"But John Symond is affiliated with the largest bank in the country," he said.

Mr Symond was free to criticise the banking package, Mr Swan said.

"(But) his views are not necessarily shared by the smaller lenders, certainly not shared by the credit unions, the building societies and some of the regional banks."

The 5AA radio studio was swept for bombs before the treasurer arrived, radio presenter Lainie Anderson said.

"It's been crazy in here, we've had the secret service in here checking out the building for bombs before Wayne Swan....arrived," she said.